When little green shoots appear in the ground, buds start to open, and songbirds start their singing, my heart sings too. I love spring. It’s my favorite season.
The beauty of spring reminds me of renewal and new life.
It’s a season of growth and rejuvenation, both in nature and in us—if we’re willing.
This spring has already started, but it’s still young, plenty of time to make some plans to find and enjoy the beauty of spring around you.
I’m excited to announce that a new spring printable is coming soon, but in the meantime, here are lots of ideas to make the most of this season.
Go
Check state and local websites for listings of spring festivals in your area. Festivals seem to celebrate everything. Here’s just a sampling from my area: flowers, fruit, food, peanuts, grits, barbecue, trees, art, music, books, storytelling, science, and even moonshine (?!). Choose one or more that interest you, and schedule it on your calendar. Invite a friend or family member to go with you.
Go to a local historic site and wander the grounds outside looking for beauty.
Visit a botanical garden you’ve never seen before.
Check out a tour of homes or gardens in your area.
Are you a stargazer, or would you like to be? Visit an observatory or simply sit outside in an area away from the lights of the city and look up. Researching ahead of time to know what you are seeing will make the experience richer. Marvel at the beauty of the night sky.
Take a gardening class in person.
Go to an outdoor concert or movie in the park. Invite some friends and pack a picnic.
Nicer weather and longer days make walking more enjoyable. Make this the year you do this regularly. Buy a new pair of walking shoes if needed.
Savor
Sit outside on nice days. Drink your favorite brew or eat a meal. Let your mind wander.
Your lunch hour can give you opportunities to enjoy the beauty of spring. Leave your desk and take your lunch outside with you. As you eat, soak up the sounds and smells of spring. Or walk a few blocks to your favorite lunch spot.
Spring brings the sound of birdsong. Take time to listen. Are any of them familiar? Download an app that can help you identify birds by their singing.
Is there an outdoor hobby or sport you’d like to try, such as pickleball? Sign up for a workshop or training session.
Stock up on your favorite spring fruits and vegetables. Maybe try a new recipe.
If you have flowers blooming in your yard, cut some and bring them inside. If not, buy an inexpensive bouquet at the grocery store and put it in your kitchen or your table.
Light a candle that reminds you of spring.
Freshen the décor in your home with spring accents, including flowers. Put away the heavy blankets you needed in the winter.
If you don’t have spring travel plans, consider going somewhere just for the day or the weekend. Look for spring beauty on the road.
Make a favorite seasonal dish or dessert.
In a new journal, start a gratitude list if you haven’t already done so. Plan to share your list with someone else.
Rearrange your furniture, your artwork, your books—anything that will inspire you or give you a fresh perspective in your home.
Clean off your deck or patio. Hose down or pressure wash the surface. Buy new pillows for your furniture or if you don’t have any furniture, start with a comfy chair or two. Make it a place where you want to sit and then have someone over to join you.
Visit the nursery, pick up a few annuals, and plant them in a pot on your porch or deck. Or buy a pot that’s already been planted, noting how much sunlight and water the plants inside it need.
Hang a spring wreath on your front door and add some spring touches to your porch. If you normally enter your home a different way, make a point to go through your front door so you can enjoy the spring décor.
Gather
Meet a friend for lunch at a restaurant with outside seating.
Plan a hike with a friend in an area you haven’t tried before.
Or set a walking date with your spouse, your friend, or your neighbor. Go to a nearby park and enjoy the scenery. Take your four-legged friend with you.
Plan a picnic or a barbecue/cookout. Save yourself some stress by doing it potluck style, and enjoy the dishes your guests bring to the party.
What is your favorite setting in the spring? Maybe it’s in the park, or by the water, or on your front porch. Plan regular dates there for yourself.
Capture
Take photos of your favorite examples of spring beauty. Print and frame your favorites to add to your spring décor.
Snap photos of yourself and loved ones in spring attire, outside if possible.
Snap a photo of the view you see from your front or back door if it includes spring beauty. Consider doing this every season and then comparing the beauty in those views.
Spend some time with a small child outside. Point out the flowers and show him the new growth on trees and plants. Take photos of him enjoying himself. Let his sense of wonder refresh your own.
Send
Are there people you know who could use some encouragement this season? Buy some notecards and challenge yourself to send them out this week. (Check out the Glimsen Shop for beautifully-designed Spring notecards.)
Coming soon! Finding Spring Beauty printable.
What is your favorite spot to enjoy spring beauty? Let me know in a comment below.
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Lemonade photo courtesy of user pascal on Unsplash
Flower pot photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash